Tanzanian rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai. Image/Amnesty Intl.
Renowned Tanzanian rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday, sparking outcry from Amnesty International and her advocacy organisation. Tsehai, a vocal campaigner for political reform, freedom of expression and women’s rights in Tanzania, commands a significant following of 1.3 million on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Amnesty International Kenya, Tsehai was seized by three armed men driving a black Toyota Noah at around 3 pm in the Kilimani area of central Nairobi.
Her organisation Change Tanzania expressed alarm on X, suggesting that Tanzanian security agents might be responsible. “We believe her abductors are part of Tanzania security agents operating beyond Tanzania borders to silence legitimate criticism,” the group stated.
Change Tanzania further lauded Tsehai’s resilience, noting that her courage in standing up for justice has made her a target but vowed not to let this moment silence her voice.
This incident has drawn attention to Kenya’s controversial history of permitting foreign governments to conduct forced abductions within its borders, a practice that has been widely condemned.
In October, the United Nations raised concerns about the forced repatriation of four Turkish refugees from Nairobi to Turkey. Similarly, in November, Uganda claimed cooperation with Kenyan authorities to detain Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi and extradite him to Kinshasa where he faces a military trial criticised by rights organisations.
Amnesty International has described these actions as indicative of a growing and worrying trend of transnational repression in Kenya.
The abduction comes as Tanzania faces mounting criticism for its handling of opposition voices ahead of the upcoming elections. While President Samia Suluhu Hassan initially received praise for advancing democratic freedoms after succeeding the authoritarian John Magufuli in 2021, recent developments including arrests, kidnappings and even killings of opposition figures have alarmed rights groups and Western governments.
Tsehai’s disappearance has heightened fears about the lengths to which authorities may go to suppress dissent, underscoring the risks faced by human rights defenders in the region.
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